It is lawful and legal for an adult to publicly consume alcohol on the “sandy beach,” in general, with some restrictions:

There is an alcohol-free zone, a “family friendly” area, on Pensacola Beach, west of the pier.It begins at the beach pier and extends 320 feet to the west and north to the road. (Escambia County Ordinance, Section 6-3) The alcohol-free zone on Pensacola Beach is intended to promote sustain the growth of tourism on Pensacola Beach by promoting a family-friendly atmosphere and by discouraging underage drinking and disorderly conduct in the core area of Pensacola Beach. Violations of this Ordinance are second-degree misdemeanors with a maximum fine of $500.00 and/or by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed 60 days. (Picture below)

No Open Containers of Alcohol in Pensacola Beach Parking Lots and Boardwalk, it is Illegal

***NEW PENSACOLA BEACH ALCOHOL LAW/ RULES 2016***Pensacola Beach alcohol laws have been changed.Now, open containers are not allowed on the boardwalk and law abiding citizens are prohibited from consuming and/or possessing any alcoholic beverage in an open container “on or upon any public parking lot, street, roadway, sidewalk, boardwalk, alleyway, paved or unpaved right-of-way, park, playground, recreational facility, or other public area located within the commercial district of Pensacola Beach that is not duly licensed to permit possession, consumption and sale of alcoholic beverages. This excludes the “sandy beach.”Enforcement of the new law started March 2, 2016.

No Glass Containers on Pensacola BeachGlass containers for any beverage are prohibited on Pensacola beach pursuant to the “Santa Rosa Island Glass Safety Ordinance.” (Escambia County Ordinance, Sec. 102) The prohibited area is between the low water mark and the property line of private properties, or in the case of public lands between the low water mark and the line of vegetation or boardwalk, as applicable, or within public dune preserve areas. A violation of this ordinance is a misdemeanor of the second degree with a maximum fine of $500.00 and/or by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed 60 days. The Court may also impose civil penalties including picking up litter.

While alcohol is legal on Pensacola Beach, for adults and not in prohibited zones, it can lead to other issues withlaw enforcement and is only recommended in moderation.Know how to handle law enforcement encounters, and call Chris if you need assistance. 850-437-9410

Pets on Pensacola Beach and Pets on Perdido Key Beach, Florida:

No Dogs Allowed on Pensacola Beach!(see below for PBeach Dog Park)No Dogs allowed on the beaches, except specified dog beaches (Escambia County Ordinance, Sec. 10-11)Generally- It is unlawful for the owner of an animal to allow his animal in public places of Escambia County such as school grounds, school bus stops, public parks, beaches, and playgrounds.Specifically- It shall be unlawful for the owner of an animal to allow his animal, whether roaming at large or on a leash or otherwise under his control, on public bathing beaches or recreational areas on that portion of Santa Rosa Island, or on that portion of any beach, public or private, lying seaward of the coastal construction setback line for land southward of the right-of-way of State Road 292 or of the line of vegetation for land northward and on the portion of the county known as Perdido Key which is bordered to the west by the Alabama state line, to the south by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, to the east by the property of the U.S. Government, and to the north by the waters of the Intracoastal Waterway.Provided, however, no animal owner shall be prohibited from permitting his animal within 50 feet of a building which the animal owner owns or leases.

A violation of this chapter is a civil infraction. The maximum civil penalty for a civil infraction shall not exceed $500.00. Each day or fraction thereof during which a violation happens will be considered a separate offense.Repeat Offenders– Upon a third or subsequent conviction for a violation of this chapter, the county may seek an injunction prohibiting an owner from acquiring, owning, or harboring animals within Escambia County for a period of up to three years.

Pensacola Beach Dog Park (Escambia County Ordinance, Sec. 10-25)Location- Dogs shall be permitted on that portion of Pensacola Beach on the Gulf of Mexico adjacent to Parking Lot B (“Park West”) extending south from the dune vegetation line to the Gulf of Mexico and 100 yards to the west of the dune walkover and Parking Lot E (“Park East”) extending south from the dune vegetation line to the Gulf of Mexico and 150 feet to the east and 150 feet to the west of the dune walkover.Hours- From May 1 through October 31, the hours of operation shall be from 7:00 a.m. until sunset. From November 1 through April 30, the hours of operation shall be from the time of sunrise until sunset.Rules- All dogs shall be prohibited from roaming freely within the boundaries of the park. Each dog must be fastened to a suitable leash of dependable strength not to exceed eight feet in length, and the leash must be held at all times by the person maintaining supervision and control over the dog. Any person having a dog on the beach during the above enumerated hours must carry with and on such person suitable materials with which to remove from the beach any fecal matter deposited by the dog. Any fecal matter must be removed immediately upon its deposit by the person maintaining supervision and control over the dog. Each dog must have the proper license tags affixed to its collar or harness at all times. Violators of this section shall be guilty of a civil infraction and punishable pursuant to section 10-23.

Perdido Key dog Park (Escambia County Ordinance, Sec. 10-11)There are two of them:Location- Dogs are permitted on those designated portions of Perdido Key on the Gulf of Mexico identified as Gulf Access Point #3 and Access Point #4 adjacent to Tot Park (River Road).Hours- From May 1, 2013, through September 2, 2013, the hours of operation shall be from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. CST. Effective September 3, 2013, Gulf Access Point #3 will be closed for use as a dog park. Effective September 3, 2013, the hours of operation for Access Point #4 adjacent to Tot Park (River Road) shall be from the time of sunrise until sunset.Rules– From May 1, 2013, through September 2, 2013, all dogs shall be prohibited from roaming freely within the boundaries of Gulf Access Point #3 when sea turtle or shorebird surveyors find evidence of nesting within the park boundaries. Each dog must be fastened to a suitable leash of dependable strength not to exceed eight feet in length, and the leash must be held at all times by the person maintaining supervision and control over the dog. All dogs may roam freely within the boundaries of Access Point #4 adjacent to Tot Park (River Road). Any person having a dog on the beach during the above enumerated hours must carry with and on such person suitable materials with which to remove from the beach any fecal matter deposited by the dog. Any fecal matter must be removed immediately upon its deposit by the person maintaining supervision and control over the dog. Each dog must have the proper license tags affixed to its collar or harness at all times. Violators of this section shall be guilty of a civil infraction and punishable pursuant to section 10-23.

Surf Condition Warning Flags-When you arrive on Pensacola Beach you will see colored flags posted. These are Surf and Gulf condition flags.Double Red flags mean the beach is close to swimming.Red Flags mean dangerous surf wave or current conditions, stay out of the water.Yellow Flags mean there is a medium hazardous surf and/or current, proceed with caution.Green Flags mean low hazard, calm conditionsPurple Flags mean dangerous marine life (most commonly- jellyfish and stingrays)It is always safest to “Swim with the Lifeguards” in the Gulf of Mexico. Have fun but “Swim Safely.”Nude beaches-There are no “clothing optional” beaches, topless beaches or nude beaches on Pensacola Beach,Perdido Key, Santa Rosa Island, The National Seashore(s), Ft. Pickins, Navarre Beach, orJohnson Beach (on Perdido Key, Florida).This a person can be prosecuted for indecent exposure.It can be a Federal or Florida offense, depending on the beach.

Big Brother is watching…Pensacola Beach Traffic Cameras

When you arrive on Pensacola Beach, there are two cameras on a pole (to the right in picture).These cameras record and capture license plates and feeds that information to the Sheriff’s department.If the owner of the car has a suspended driver license, or warrant, the car will get pulled over.This is even if someone else is driving.This has happened to several clients recently.Do not drive with a vehicle related to a suspended licence or warrant.But if you do, call me.

Chris Rabby850-437-9410

Contact Christopher L. Rabby, P.A. at our Pensacola, Florida law firm to speak with us today for judgment free representation on beach arrests, offense, or allegations.

This information is provided as basic information on Pensacola beach regulations from a Pensacola beach criminal defense lawyer because the public needs to know the beach laws and needs to know who to call forhelp with them.